Garage Mishap

[KIWI]

I recently backed my new 07 Safari 27 FB into a 6x6 post in my garage. I dented the rear bumper enough to jam it into the rear storage box. This apparently pushed the storage box back enough so that now I cant get the two taps to pull up and open. Does anybody have any ideas.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by KIWI

I recently backed my new 07 Safari 27 FB into a 6x6 post in my garage. I dented the rear bumper enough to jam it into the rear storage box. This apparently pushed the storage box back enough so that now I cant get the two taps to pull up and open.

Do you have a digital camera?
If you can post a picture here, someone may have a couple of ideas.
Oh, and welcome to the forums.

[moosetags]

What a bummer, but it's better that denting the aluminum skin.

The rear bumper storage compartment has a single piano hinge along its entire length. Try taking a hammer and punch and tap the hinge pin out to one side if its not too bent. Get a pair of Vice Grips locked on the hinge and pull it out. If you can get the pin out, you should be able to access the storage area.

[KIWI]

Thanks Terry, SuEllyn and Brian! Thanks for the nice welcome. This is our first camper and first Airstream. We've had it out only one night and loved it. Anyway, I think we are on our way to fixing the damaged bumper and storage box. I managed to get the tabs opened with a screw driver and then took off the bumper. I am going to see if my local body shop can straighten the bumper. The piano-hinge was not damaged and the bumper barely bent. Thanks again. I'll let you know how it works out.

John & Patsy